不管怎样
bùguǎnzěnyàng
The English phrase 'anyway' can be translated into Chinese as 不管怎样 (bùguǎnzěnyàng).
The phrase is used to mean 'regardless'.
Meaning: regardless (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 不管 (no matter) and 怎样 (how/in what way), literally meaning 'no matter how/what way'.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a sentence adverb, 不管怎样 is often used at the beginning of a clause to indicate that the following statement remains true regardless of preceding circumstances.
How do you pronounce it?
bùguǎnzěnyàng
Did you know?
- The word 管 (guǎn) in 不管怎样 originally meant 'tube' or 'pipe' but evolved to mean 'to control' or 'to manage'.
- If you use 不管怎样 to end a sentence, it often sounds like a stubborn refusal to change your mind, adding a tone of 'no matter what, I'm doing it' that might be stronger than the English 'anyway'.
- While 不管怎样 is a standard way to say 'anyway', in many Northern Chinese dialects, people often use the much shorter 反正 (fǎnzhèng) to convey the exact same sense of 'regardless' or 'anyway'.
Examples in context
- 不管怎样，我们所有人都将死。We're all going to die anyway.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use 不管怎样 to express that a situation remains true regardless of circumstances.Tatoeba #9932529 by SbrAkr, translation #3311158 by CK
- 无论如何，我们必须完成这项任务。Anyway, we must complete this task.
- 我们会继续努力，不管怎样。We will continue to work hard anyway.
- 他已经迟到了，反正我们可以继续安排。He is already late, anyway, we can continue with our arrangements.
- 这个计划不太实际，我们还是放弃吧。总之，我们需要重新思考。This plan is not very practical, let's give it up. Anyway, we need to rethink.
- 不管怎样，你都要照顾好自己。bù guǎn zen yàng, nǐ dōu yào zhào gù hǎo zì jǐ.Regardless, you must take good care of yourself.
- 不管怎样，我们一定要按时出发。bù guǎn zen yàng, wǒ men yī dìng yào àn shí chū fā.Regardless, we must set off on time.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a trip despite the bad weather forecast.
- 俊杰 Junjie天气预报说明天可能会下雨。tiān qì bào yù shuō míng tiān kě néng huì xià yǔ.The weather forecast says it might rain tomorrow.
- 佳怡 Jiayi不管怎样，我都想去看看。bù guǎn zen yàng, wǒ dōu xiǎng qù kàn kan.Regardless, I still want to go see it.
- 俊杰 Junjie那我们明天还是出发吧。nà wǒ men míng tiān hái shì chū fā ba.Then let's set off tomorrow after all.
- 佳怡 Jiayi好，别忘了带伞。hǎo, bié wàng le dài sǎn.Okay, don't forget to bring an umbrella.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
